Technical Decisions

Lesson 24 : Classification Of Decisions
Diesing’s Classification Of Decisions

1. Technical Decisions:

They relate to the achievement of signal goal. A decision is technically rational if an effective means is chosen to achieve the goals. It need not be the most efficient means unless the resources are limited. Decisions that fall into this category are goal oriented. The alternatives have some known degree of specificity as do the available resources. These decisions involve weighing the alternatives. This means selecting the alternative that has the highest probability of achieving the desired goal and reducing the degree of risk as much as possible. These are the easiest decisions to make.

An example of a technical decision might be whether to go to class or stay in your room. One knows the probability of risk; the instructor may give a quiz, whether or not we can obtain the lecture notes from another class member, and any additional potential risk factors. The decision we make will be based on these known facts.

Nickel, Rice, and Tucker indicate these decisions " ... may not seem extremely important but set the tone of daily living and can affect the quality or results of more prevasive decisions."? They also refer to these decisions as the "how to" ones. Keenan's model of technical decision making.

The basic characteristics of a known goal, known alternatives, and known but limited resources. The decision, then, involves making a choice which will bring the greatest degree of satisfaction while re­ducing as much as possible the degree of risk. Effective technical decision cannot be made unless and until the goal is clearly defined. These are the ‘how to ‘type of decision.

Examples: Decisions made for best grades in exam
Decision made during health crisis
Decision made during time shortage

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Last modified: Saturday, 24 March 2012, 6:01 AM